Storage and release of hydrogen cyanide in a chelicerate (Oribatula tibialis).

@article{Brckner2017StorageAR,
title={Storage and release of hydrogen cyanide in a chelicerate (Oribatula tibialis).},
author={Adrian Br{\"u}ckner and G{\"u}nther Raspotnig and Katja Wehner and Reinhard Meusinger and Roy A. Norton and Michael Heethoff},
journal={Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
year={2017},
volume={114 13},
pages={
3469-3472
}
}

Cyanogenesis denotes a chemical defensive strategy where hydrogen cyanide (HCN, hydrocyanic or prussic acid) is produced, stored, and released toward an attacking enemy. The high toxicity and volatility of HCN requires both chemical stabilization for storage and prevention of accidental self-poisoning. The few known cyanogenic animals are exclusively mandibulate arthropods (certain myriapods and insects) that store HCN as cyanogenic glycosides, lipids, or cyanohydrins. Here, we show that… CONTINUE READING